MOLECULAR PHYLOGENY OF 12 ASIAN SPECIES OF EPILACHNINE LADYBIRD BEETLES (COLEOPTERA, COCCINELLIDAE) WITH NOTES ON THE DIRECTION OF HOST SHIFTS

We determined the nucleotide sequences of a part of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I gene (1,000 bp) for twelve species of Asian phy tophagous ladybird beetles belonging to the genus Epilachna, and const ructed molecular phylogenetic trees for ten ''Henosepilachna'' species , using two ''Epilachna'' species as outgroups. Based on the suggested phylogenetic trees, we discussed taxonomic issues and the direction o f host shift in these epilachnines.